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Sound Insulation Testing in LondonLondon is a massive city containing in excess of 5 million dwellings. In this overcrowded and often noisy environment it is essential that robust acoustic design is incorporated into all new and refurbishment projects form the offset.

To help enforce good acoustic design principles pre completion sound testing was introduced July 2003, this resulted in all new build properties and conversions which were built after this date are require 10% of each party wall/floor construction type to be tested.

Sound insulation Testing is carried out between pairs of rooms separated by party walls or floors. The two ‘habitable’ areas that usually require sound testing are living rooms and bedrooms, although other rooms can be tested if this is not possible, i.e. kitchen to bedroom.

APT Sound Testing undertakes UKAS accredited Part E sound testing throughout London and the South East. We have extensive knowledge regarding the way different materials and construction methods can influence the results of a sound test, so we can always offer robust and cost effective acoustic design advice to ensure your compliance with Part E of Regulations. Our usual road map for design advice is:

Site Visits & Precompletion TestingWe offer Acoustic Site Survey Visits to let us view the existing site construction. This allows us to check for potential problematic areas such as lightweight blocks haven’t been used in the existing construction. It also lets us check that the installation teams are installing the acoustic materials as per manufacturer’s guidelines, thus avoiding crucial onsite mistakes. In our experience a sound test failure is often due to the poor workmanship rather than the actual design. The site survey visits negate the risk of sound test failure.

We also undertake sample sound testing of the existing construction. This offers an accurate overview of the acoustic performance of the existing partitions which enables us to offer an acoustic design which correlates with the existing construction.

Acoustic Design Considerations Avoid using lightweight blocks in the inner envelope construction as sound will travel along light block-work both vertically and horizontally from dwelling to dwelling.

The use of resilient suspended ceilings will help improve the performance of the floor partition.

Use a high quality resilient acoustic membrane on top of the floor to improve the impact performance of a floor.

Ensure all penetrations are fully sealed where they terminate through floors and they are adequately boxed with acoustic quilt and two layers of plasterboard.

Defect Diagnosis & Remedial Advice With over 30 years’ experience in building acoustics, we are able to diagnose the reasons for the sound test failure and recommend a cost-effective solution. Often, the reasons for the partition failure are obvious to the test engineer in which case the advice will be minimal and subsequently the cost for acoustic design advice will be minimal.

Sometimes, there are more technical issues which require more detailed diagnosis and invasive investigation, such as large amounts of noise flanking due to serious design faults, e.g. the use of lightweight blocks in the construction of an apartment development.

Whatever the problem we can usually find an acoustic solution that will satisfy Part E of Building Regulations. If you have a project that’s needs acoustic design advice or needs sound insulation testing then please contact us at via the APT Sound Testing Website or phone us directly on 0203 669 2650 and we should be able to offer you an expedient acoustic solution to help you achieve practical completion.

Improve Your New Home with Plantation ShuttersSo you’ve just bought and moved into your new home. Congratulations! Now that all the headaches leading up to closing are behind you, it’s time to begin your new life in a home that you can now call your own.

Adding Plantation Shutters to your Home
Since most homes do not come with window treatments of any kind, this is one of many design decisions that you will have to make. While blinds are standard in bedrooms, you may find it worthwhile to dress up the windows in the main living space a bit more, particularly if you expect to do a lot of entertaining. In living rooms and perhaps even the dining room and kitchen, you can create an elegant yet homey look by installing plantation shutters.

For every home and every homeowner, there are suitable plantation shutters. If your new neighbours seem to be all of two metres away when you look out the window, consider café-style plantation shutters. The great thing about café-style shutters is that they allow you to keep the bottom windows covered and the upper ones open, allowing light to come in without sacrificing privacy.

If you work a late-night job, on the other hand, you might do better to install full-height or solid-style plantation shutters so that you can block out the most light possible during daylight hours so that you can have adequate rest. These are just two ways you can make your new home look fabulous by adding texture and depth with the added practicality of not having to worry about nosy neighbours or air leaks around windows.

The Beautiful Shutter Company has been producing and installing plantation shutters in homes across the UK for years. Our years of experience and commitment to providing a high-quality product will ensure that your home is outfitted with plantation shutters that suit your exact requirements.

The Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty in GlasgowVisiting the salon is something many of us regularly enjoy, spending some time being pampered and then leaving looking great and is the perfect way to boost your confidence and feel refreshed. Ellen Conlin is a Hair and Beauty salon in Glasgow that is definitely worth checking out. With two separate salons available they easily accessible, no matter where you are within Glasgow, they also offer an impressive range of quality hairdressing services and beauty treatments.

Their Hyndland salon has been long established as ‘Masters of Colour’ and they are one of the few salons locally that have the knowledge and expertise to create any colour you desire, regardless of your natural colouring, age or hair type and condition. As an award winning clinical centre Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty are also able to offer treatments such as Microdermabrasion, DermaluxTriZone and EA Peels.

Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty are a 5 star rated beauty business originally opening their flagship hair & Beauty salon in Hyndland in Glasgow’s famous West End 15 years ago, later following their success they went on to open a second hair & beauty salon in Giffnock. As holders of a 2012 silver Investor’s in People accreditation and 2015 Investor’s in Young People accreditation, Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty have high professional recognition, they have also achieved a wide range of awards and certificates from various Glasgow hairdressing and hairdressing business competitions. With recognition like this and co-owner Ellen’s four decades of hair dressing experience it’s easy to see why they are such a successful business.

Making an appointment to visit one of their pleasant and stylish salons couldn’t be easier as they give the option to book online as well at http://www.ellenconlinhair.com/ , their website also provides information about the different treatments that are available, a full price list, customer reviews and much more useful information, including a 3d tour around each salon.

With air-conditioned salons, a great range of reading material provided and complementary refreshments you can be sure to spend your visit to either Ellen Conlin salon in total comfort. All staff members are dedicated to providing an expert level of customer care and aim to make sure that you have an enjoyable and relaxing experience. No matter what your reason for visiting you will receive a full initial consultation where you will be able to explain exactly what you want done, and expect to be kept fully informed during the treatment process so you can be certain that you will be happy with the final result.

The range of hairdressing services available is really impressive with a choice of cuts, colours and extensions all available there is no limit to how much you can change the appearance of your hair! All salon staff are educated to the highest possible standard within their chosen specialist field and with specialist hair treatments such as Nanokeratin Hair Restoration and Smoothing System on offer they also know how to help you maintain your hairs condition and appearance, even after you have left the salon. If you are pushed for time they also have the option for you to visit the Blow Dry bar so you can quickly have your style refreshed.

There are so many different beauty treatments available that you wouldn’t really ever need to visit another salon again! You can choose from a range of options including waxing, tanning, manicure, pedicure, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, threading, made up application and eyelash extensions, all treatments are carried out by professional, friendly staff that are highly qualified in their chosen field. There are skincare specialists available that can advise you on a combination of advanced prescriptive treatments that can solve any skincare condition, and help you create a personalised skincare programme that is tailored to your needs. The revolutionary Dermalux TriWave skincare treatment system is also available which is able to actually help to renew and repair the skin and limit any signs of damage.

With many offers available for returning clients including the VIP card, which offers many benefits including the opportunity to collect points and receive discount offers, as well as a wide range of professional standard products available to buy it is easy to see why Ellen Conlin is one of the most popular Hair and Beauty Salons in Glasgow

Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty
Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty provides these and many other services. For hair and beauty treatments that will leave you looking and feeling your very best, call our Glasgow salon today on 0141 339 8223 or visit the Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty website today to make your appointment with a new look.

Five Types of Windows We Sell At Synergy WindowsHere at Synergy Windows, we sell and fit a variety of windows, conservatories and doors, based in Darlington. In this article, we’ll take a look at some of our most popular windows available at Synergy Windows. Whether you’re looking for windows with a grand and long-lasting design, or windows which focus on energy ratings – we’ve definitely got windows which will suit your current needs.

1. Aluminum Windows

If you’re looking for windows that are resistant to corrosion and rusting, these windows are for you! Aluminium windows are great for those that want to focus on aesthetics. The aluminium lines the windows in thin strips, so this means that less of the frame is visible, and more glass can be shown. If you’re not a huge fan of thick frames which obscure glass, you’ve found your perfect window match here.

Again, these windows have another aesthetic benefit. You can choose from a variety of colours, over 200 colours, to be precise! The frame is coated with a special polyester powder coat finish, giving it that extra edge over other window frames. The finish ensures that the colour will endure for decades and survive even the harshest of weathers.

2. Artisan Colour Range

Whilst most of the windows we see in Britain are white, you can definitely start taking a look at our artisan colour range. We have a variety of colours and finishes, from beautiful woodgrain to coloured woodgrain finishes also. These are exciting new frames which can match your furniture or kitchen countertops, for example.

If you have a blue countertop, perhaps a blue window frame would match well with it. You can really mix and match with your house furniture, and with the colour of the window frames. They can add a personalized and unique touch to both your house’s exterior and interior.

3. PVC-U Casement Windows

Casement windows are the latest windows to use pioneering technological and engineering design, to help make your home more energy friendly. These windows are “A-Rated” meaning that they can help to retain heat within the home and prevent cold air from getting into your home. These windows are designed for the practical homeowner, who is conscious of windows which don’t just look stylish, but also help to retain heat within the home. They are extremely secure and have a “Secured By Design” certification. No burglar can get in through your windows, that’s for sure!

However, it’s not just the practicality and security that these windows provide. They also can please those that love aesthetics, as they come in a wide variety of colour finishes.

4. PVC-U Vertical Slash Windows

These windows are unique in design as they provide a different take on traditional window design. These windows are compact and are of an excellent shape, for those who want compact but practical windows. Usually, with wood or other PVC windows, it is difficult to maintain vertical slash windows because of their shape and because of friction. However, our windows use PVC-U which makes them easy to slide in and out and this means they are super easy to maintain and keep in the same functioning shape as they always were.

We also provide a wide variety of colour finishes for these windows. You may like a traditional woodgrain-style finish or a more modern and smooth “Cream” finish. Whatever your preferences, we have got seven finishes, giving you lots of flexibility and choice.

These windows are A-Rated, meaning they provide superb energy ratings and can help to reduce heat loss in the home, or almost eliminate it entirely. They use pioneering engineering design to achieve this, and this means that they can cut down your energy bills, or at least, keep them down!

5. Georgian PVC-U Windows

These windows combine aesthetics and traditional style, with practicality and excellent energy ratings. You may have seen Georgian windows in many soaps and even, houses across the country and it’s no wonder that they are the nation’s favourite choice of window. They echo a sentiment of nostalgia, as many houses from our childhood have incorporated Georgian windows into their design.

These windows give you lots of flexibility and choice, because the Georgian bars can fit into many window shapes and their elegance and beauty will stand the test of time. The universal design is not only ethereal, it will also last you for decades, and still remain as fresh and beautiful as the day you bought them.

Not only that, but these windows have excellent energy ratings, as they are “A-Rated”, making sure that your home will remain energy friendly for decades to come.

Final Thoughts

Choosing which windows to purchase can be a hard decision, but this article will have provided you with a few of our more popular window designs. If you’d like a quote, make sure to check out our Instant Online Quote wizard, which will help you gauge pricing.

We are always here to support you in your decision and in the purchasing process, so make sure to give us a call on 01325 527538 or visit the Synergy Windows website and we will be more than happy to help you.

Tree Surgery Services for the North East
If you have problem trees, bushes or shrubs outside your property you may want to consider contacting a professional tree surgery service to make sure that the job is done safely and properly without causing any damage to your property or others around it as it is easy to underestimate how much work and expertise is required if you want to move or conserve trees and other greenery.

Based in the North East, Stan Timmins and sons is a company offering expert Tree Surgery Services to many satisfied customers, with over 50 year’s experience working within the industry they have all the knowledge and expertise required to help you find the solution to any problem you may have. The owner and manager Stan Timmins hold numerous industry qualifications in a broad range of horticulture and arboriculture subjects including diplomas both from Royal Botanic Gardens Edinburgh and also the Royal Forestry Society.

Offering fully insured and registered tree surgery services to every customer and a guarantee that every job completed will be carried out to meet current best practices for Arboriculture work and to comply with the BS3998 (2010) regulations you can be certain that any work you need to have carried out will be done properly and as safely as possible.

With a wide range of service on offer including formative pruning, sectional dismantling of dead, dangerous and diseased trees, ivy Removal / severance, large tree removal and site clearance as well as many others you can be certain that no matter what problem you may have Stan Timmins and Sons will be able to help you find a workable solution.

With a straight forward pricing policy and excellent customer services you can be sure that at Stan Timmins and Sons they will be able to offer you excellent quality work for a reasonable price, and if you have any questions or queries at any stage of the process they will be happy to offer you all the information that you need.

So you are based in the North East and are looking for reliable and expert tree surgery service you may want to get in touch with Stan Timmins and Sons so you can be sure that the job is completed safely and to the highest possible standard.

ContactStan Timmins
When you’re about to embark on tree surgery, it can be a daunting experience to search for a qualified and registered tree surgeon. We believe at Stan Timmins Tree Surgeons that we can provide you with the quickest and most accurate tree surgery, to suit whatever work you need done. We offer the advantages listed above and we have had many customers who have praised us and thanked us for our work. You can see these customers at our Testimonials page. For further information please call 07966 207280 or 01670 825089 or visit their website at http://www.stantimmins.co.uk.

Searching for Crane Hire In Newcastle & the North East
If you require the use of a crane to complete extensive building works, move heavy machinery, carry out recovery works or for any other reason at all it is definitely worth considering contacting Synergy Lifting one of the most reliable and flexible crane hire services in Newcastle. With a great twenty four hour service which operates every single day of the year, a rapid response service if you require emergency assistance and many conveniently placed offices they are guaranteed to reach you no matter where you are, regardless of the time of day or night.

So why use Synergy Lifting Crane Hire Service?

Experience – highly experienced directors and management who understand the expectations and requirements involved in the construction and industrial sector.

Rapid Response – enquiries and requests for site visits/surveys dealt with immediately, with quotations on the same day if required.

Areas Covered – United Kingdom, Europe and worldwide if required.

Availability – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year service.

Multi-disciplined Services – in house project management team and a skilled, multi-disciplined workforce capable of carrying out complete turnkey projects for the construction and industrial sector
Certification and Standards:

ISO 14001 – covers control of environmental impact and improvement of environmental performance.

OHSAS 18001 – covers the policies, procedures and controls needed for health and safety best practice.Synergy Lifting aims to deliver a top quality level of service to every customer for a competitive price, they manage to achieve this by offering a wide range of services that can accommodate all lifting needs including crane hire, contract lifting, steelwork solutions and asset recovery among many others. Combined with the hands-on approach to work taken by managers and directors so they really understand the needs of their business they are able to achieve really high levels of customer satisfaction, along with building a successful business. With a friendly and professional team of fully qualified expert staff, no matter what your needs are you can be certain that you will receive a great service from beginning to end even if you are just planning to hire a crane itself. If you want to hire a team to carry out work for you at Synergy Lifting they are more than happy to supply you with any help you need with a range of fully trained riggers, appointed persons, crane supervisors and slinger signallers and a strong in house project management team they will be able to ensure that your job will be completed to a very high standard with the minimum of fuss.
Synergy Lifting & Crane Hire ServicesAt Synergy Lifting they take looking after the environment seriously and are constantly finding ways to minimise the impact that the work they carry out has. With waste reduction initiatives along with responsible disposal, ongoing training and investment into improving practises they do everything they can to go above and beyond legal expectations, so you can be sure they are a responsible choice.With a high level of certification and a great range of multi-disciplined services on offer why not contact Synergy Lifting for a free, no obligation quote if you require mobile crane hire in or around the Newcastle area, no matter how large or small you job may be let them take the weight from you mind with their excellent lifting services, you may be surprised to find how simple and affordable it can be. For further information call today on 01325 527 888 or visit our Synergy Lifting crane hire website.

Benefits of Buying Solid Wood Furniture
Adding some classic hardwood furniture to your home is an excellent way to add a classy and homely touch instantly and can really help to finish a newly decorated room by adding the perfect finishing touch to any design. At Signature Hardwood they have a wide range of solid wood furniture available for every room in a wide range of styles that are sure to appeal to almost every taste, all made using the highest quality hardwood and the best manufacturing processes available so you can be sure that they are built to last.

With so many different products available at Signature Hardwood regardless of whether you are looking for a bed frame, a dining table, a cabinet or even a desk for your home office you will be surprised how many options they have on offer that will be perfect for your needs and with many items available as part of a complementing range you can even create a totally coordinated look through your home. With a wide range of clever storage solutions available to fit almost any space and many unusual designs available that you are not likely to find anywhere else no matter what kind of home you have you are certain to find something that suits it perfectly.

Buying a well designed and manufactured piece of solid wood furniture that you absolutely love is a really worthwhile investment, especially if it is for a hard to fit space of something that you will use a lot as you can be certain that it will last for years to come, and with the right care stay looking as good as new for just as long, so you can be certain that anything you may purchase from Signature Hardwood is likely to last a lifetime, and with an excellent customer service policy you can be certain that they will do everything they can to put things right in the unlikely event you are not totally satisfied.

With an aim to have all pieces made and delivered directly to you within fourteen days and a commitment to ensuring all goods arrive in perfect condition at Signature Hardwood they always do everything they can to ensure every customer is left completely satisfied, with a simple ordering process a straight forward pricing policy and free delivery on orders over sixty pounds you can be sure of a really high level of customer service every step of the way. They even offer the opportunity to see what they can do for you if you can’t find something within the available range to meet your specific requirements all for a very competitive price.

With ranges including some beautiful products created from oak, ash elm and mahogany so no matter what colour theme you have within your home you can be certain to find some really lovely pieces that will complement your home perfectly and really make the most of the space that you have no matter how large or small. So if you are looking for some really individual and well-made hardwood furniture for any room within your home that is sure to last for years make sure your take a look at the great range available at Signature Hardwood where you are sure to find plenty of great ideas as really good prices.

Contact Signature Hardwood Furniture

Signature Hardwood was developed out of a passion for quality solid wood furniture. All of their furniture pieces are made from the finest hardwoods from around the World. They work tirelessly to ensure excellent customer focus and satisfaction and source only the finest hardwood furniture from established and reputable Suppliers and Manufacturers with a proven track record. If you would like further information about the range of hardwood furniture available from Signature then you can contact them via the Signature Hardwood Furniture website.

Visiting the Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty in GlasgowVisiting the salon is something many of us regularly enjoy, spending some time being pampered and then leaving looking great and is the perfect way to boost your confidence and feel refreshed. Ellen Conlin is a Hair and Beauty salon in Glasgow that is definitely worth checking out. With two separate salons available they easily accessible, no matter where you are within Glasgow, they also offer an impressive range of quality hairdressing services and beauty treatments.

Their Hyndland salon has been long established as ‘Masters of Colour’ and they are one of the few salons locally that have the knowledge and expertise to create any colour you desire, regardless of your natural colouring, age or hair type and condition. As an award winning clinical centre Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty are also able to offer treatments such as Microdermabrasion, DermaluxTriZone and EA Peels.

Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty are a 5 star rated beauty business originally opening their flagship hair & Beauty salon in Hyndland in Glasgow’s famous West End 15 years ago, later following their success they went on to open a second hair & beauty salon in Giffnock. As holders of a 2012 silver Investor’s in People accreditation and 2015 Investor’s in Young People accreditation, Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty have high professional recognition, they have also achieved a wide range of awards and certificates from various Glasgow hairdressing and hairdressing business competitions. With recognition like this and co-owner Ellen’s four decades of hair dressing experience it’s easy to see why they are such a successful business.

Making an appointment to visit one of their pleasant and stylish salons couldn’t be easier as they give the option to book online as well at http://www.ellenconlinhair.com/ , their website also provides information about the different treatments that are available, a full price list, customer reviews and much more useful information, including a 3d tour around each salon.

With air-conditioned salons, a great range of reading material provided and complementary refreshments you can be sure to spend your visit to either Ellen Conlin salon in total comfort. All staff members are dedicated to providing an expert level of customer care and aim to make sure that you have an enjoyable and relaxing experience. No matter what your reason for visiting you will receive a full initial consultation where you will be able to explain exactly what you want done, and expect to be kept fully informed during the treatment process so you can be certain that you will be happy with the final result.

The range of hairdressing services available is really impressive with a choice of cuts, colours and extensions all available there is no limit to how much you can change the appearance of your hair! All salon staff are educated to the highest possible standard within their chosen specialist field and with specialist hair treatments such as Nanokeratin Hair Restoration and Smoothing System on offer they also know how to help you maintain your hairs condition and appearance, even after you have left the salon. If you are pushed for time they also have the option for you to visit the Blow Dry bar so you can quickly have your style refreshed.

There are so many different beauty treatments available that you wouldn’t really ever need to visit another salon again! You can choose from a range of options including waxing, tanning, manicure, pedicure, eyelash and eyebrow tinting, threading, made up application and eyelash extensions, all treatments are carried out by professional, friendly staff that are highly qualified in their chosen field. There are skincare specialists available that can advise you on a combination of advanced prescriptive treatments that can solve any skincare condition, and help you create a personalised skincare programme that is tailored to your needs. The revolutionary Dermalux TriWave skincare treatment system is also available which is able to actually help to renew and repair the skin and limit any signs of damage.

With many offers available for returning clients including the VIP card, which offers many benefits including the opportunity to collect points and receive discount offers, as well as a wide range of professional standard products available to buy it is easy to see why Ellen Conlin is one of the most popular Hair and Beauty Salons in Glasgow

Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty
Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty provides these and many other services. For hair and beauty treatments that will leave you looking and feeling your very best, call our Glasgow salon today on 0141 339 8223 or visit the Ellen Conlin Hair and Beauty website today to make your appointment with a new look.

Software Solutions for Vehicle Rental CompaniesEvery industry, no matter how large or small, has industry-specific software for maintaining accounts and for other day-to-day operations. Whereas large organisations often have the resources with which to have software for accounting and other systems developed in-house, smaller ones typically rely on different software applications purchased separately – and then must become experts in their use if they want their business to run smoothly, since tech support is not generally included in the package.

Since car and van hire companies have large vehicle fleets to keep track of and customers to invoice, it makes sense to have one system that does it all. For most of the larger vehicle rental companies currently in operation in the UK, the ideal car hire software for keeping track of both vehicles and clients includes the following features:

Shortcuts for repeat customersMost rental companies recognise that repeat customers are their primary source of revenue. Since it would make little sense to have to enter a repeat hirer’s personal information for every single transaction, the ideal software system will prefill it automatically the next time the hirer comes in. In the case of corporate clients with multiple employees involved in vehicle rental transactions, a truly ideal software solution would link such clients to an inbuilt accounting system for ease of billing and other types of recordkeeping.

Damage and loss trackingiVech give full damage accounting and assessment, from who caused the damage, how much they were charged, cost of repair, and lists any unrepaired damage automatically on the hire agreements.

Cloud-basediVech is cloud based, however this does not compromise security, the operator can assign different user bands with different security levels, eg, an operator may only be allowed access via the office ip address, a manager might be allowed to use a home ip address, and a director any ip address, these levels are fully customisable

Pricing StructureiVech is currently offered at £25.00p per week, payable weekly, monthly or yearly for a standard one site system, additional sites are £12.00p per week. There are no set up costs.

iVech Rental Control System offers all these features and many more. Our vehicle rental software allows you to keep all the information you need about your vehicles, drivers and accounts to ensure smooth client transactions, timely billing and loss prevention – all at your fingertips, all in one secure environment.

Are you Looking at Plantation Shutters?Plantation shutters are available in a variety of styles and colours which can be custom made to fit windows of any size as well as those with irregular shapes and unlike many other kitchen and bathroom renovations, Plantation shutters are an easy and relatively inexpensive to give your living room and bedrooms a facelift with a fresh coat of paint and new window treatments.

Now you know how stylish and effective plantation shutters are, the next question is, how much do they cost? The retail prices of plantation shutters depends upon:

The cost of the materials

Labour expenses to assemble the shutters

The profit chosen by the manufacturer

Many retailers offer high quality plantation shutters in multiple sizes and designs from well-know manufactures. These shutters can cost more because of the skill involved and the reputation of the manufacturer behind them. They will cost more than those found at home improvement stores.

Woodworking classes and online tutorials have made plantation shutters an achievable DIY project. They can be made for a fraction of the price of retail plantation shutters by removing the labour expenses, transport costs, and of course the profit margin. The other benefit of doing so is full control over material, colour, and size options. Despite more modern materials, the most popular plantation shutters are those made from the same wood the original plantation shutters were made from – retaining their traditional and functional appeal.

American basswood is found in central and easterly parts of the United States – states such as Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan all have large basswood supplies. Basswood is a popular hardwood choice for the manufacture of plantation shutters because of its ease to work with, its smooth texture, and its comparatively low cost. Basswood’s high demand makes it easy to find a provider at affordable prices.

If you’re planning on making them yourself you’ll need a few more materials other than the wood itself. Besides the obvious screws for framing the casings, and hinges for the swinging panels, magnets would come in handy. They allow the shutters to be kept neatly shut when they’re not open wide without the need for a lock of some description – much more pleasing to the eye. Springs, washers and other tension hardware is required to allow the slats to be opened and closed using the central vertical column.

Plantation shutters are evidently beneficial. They increase energy efficiency through having fantastic insulation properties, and allow the user to effortlessly adjust light intensity and privacy through moving the tilt rod. Being so highly desirable, plantation shutters can add a surprising amount to a homes value, and can be used as a major selling point.

The Beautiful Shutter Company is fast becoming one of the leading producers of bespoke plantation shutters in the North East of England. With our years of experience and dedication to providing each customer with the exact shutters to suit their needs, we are certain that you will enjoy the shutters you order from us for as long as you live in your home. For more information or to schedule an appointment, call us today on 01642 688049 or visit the Beautiful Shutter Company website today.